Math Problems Remain Unsolved
No, as far as we know, your kid turned in her homework. But the District is having a hard time getting its homework done in a timely fashion.We're referring to open questions about the math programs at Dexter Regional High School, some of which we've mentioned earlier (here).
As we mentioned here, the high school math teachers are going for a day of training on the 19th.
Students have chosen courses for next year, some choosing "abstract" math, some "contextual," and some continuing with the much-reviled IMP program. One wonders how they and their parents made those decisions.
At the last regular Board meeting (May 3), Board member Gerrard Rudmin* brought up the fact of textbooks having not yet been chosen for next year. (I don't know if he was referring to books for "abstract," "contextual," or for both programs.) He averred that were he a parent of a student in the affected grades he'd be "pretty frustrated," given that this had been worked on since last November.
He requested a meeting in May between Mr. Bailey and the Curriculum Committee to wrap up some of the loose ends regarding changes in the math program. Mr. Bailey replied that there was "nothing to meet about." He said that District math teachers would be meeting right after school gets out, on June 14th, 15th, and 16th, to discuss coordination in the District's math curriculum. Let's hope they make good choices!
Incidentally, the part of the letter about summer math "enhancement" that referred to limited space in the program?
Classes will be filled on a first come first served basis with all others put on a waiting list.Mr. Bailey explained that they didn't really mean it. There's room for all. That was just their way of getting you to respond in a timely fashion.
* also chair of the Board's Curriculum and Instruction Committee
posted by PP | 5/11/2006 05:25:00 AM
2 Comments:
As a student who has been forced to endure the IMP math program i feel my oppinion on the subject is valid.
For those who are unaware of the inequities of the IMP program i'll shed some light.
The IMP program attempts to teach math by relating it to to things in the real world. The beliefe is that learning about it this way represents a higher form of learning.
The class is not so much a high school math class as a collection of brain plexers. If i, like next years students, had been given the choice between an abstract math program and IMP, i would have chosen the abstract program. Students who choose to continue with IMP will do so for one reason. It's Easy. I consider the hours i have spent learning math with IMP as time wasted. The IMP program attends to the "less smart" part of the student body. IMP may be effective but the amount of material it teaches is miniscule compared to that which could be taught with an abstract math program. Math is important and people of this district should be more concerned than they are!
I respect the opinions of students whether it comes as observations about the qualities of programs and teachers, or the character of those who are responsible. I encourage the student body of DRHS to let us know how you feel about your experiences at YOUR school. You don't need to worry about saying what's on your mind here.
When it comes to math things are supposed to add up. Does the "yellow rose" have any more equations to share?
Post a Comment
<< Home